While the GT160 looks great my pride and joy is the Silvacraft and its taken three years to get as far as I have. The Company operated out of Albury N.S.W and was taken over in 1963 never to be heard of again. I have been advised that only 12 to 15 of this boat were built and it's quite unique as it held together with pop rivets. Bilge pumps are a must !

The GT160 was found over in Sunbury , floor rotted out and upholstery completely gone. I had no idea what I'd bought but I loved the profile. The original Johnson 100hp is in great condition.

Now the Bondwood basket case. Great upholstery but no motor. This remains a job for the future.

Welcome aboard. You have 2 1/2 amazing craft. I've never seen anything like your Silvercraft here. I always wanted to see a real aluminium runabout. The Glastron is to be envied also. I assume you are in Victoria, but let us know more. Some further pics of the interiors would be greatly appreciated. David

With the hope that I don't bore everybody to death this is the information about Wilson and Winstanley Boat builders Albury.

The company operated out of Albury till 1963 at a property in McCauley Street Albury. A gentleman by the name of Lindsay Stewart / Stuart (unsure of spelling designed the Silvacraft and the foreman in charge Harry Oravsky (whom which I have spoken to) supplied much of the background info that I have

Harry explained to me that production levels were so low that if they needed a steering wheel for instance they would head down to the local Holden dealer and pick one up. To my best knowledge (as per Harry) only 12 to 15 of the Silvacraft were ever built. The patterns eventually ended up at the local rubbish tip.

The boat was powered by a Ford Zephyr six cylinder and cooling was pumped by a Jabsco pump with the hot water being pumped out right hand side of the boat. Sadly my boat has a Holden 202 motor in it at this stage.

Amazingly while at the local service station a man came up and said "Hey I had one of those boats" and sure enough he did and provided two very fuzzy photos to prove it.

Because there is so little to work from the boat cannot be restored as per say but has been rebuilt with the hope that I might get a chance in the future to get a close look at what the Silvacraft originally looked like.

My friends laugh at me cause I love my boats but I don't much like boating so every few weeks or so I take one of the boats down to the lake , park on the side of bank ,get out the chair and the beer and at no time does the boat touch the water.

Can I add that pop rivets are not suitable for structural uses so over the years the sealed caps have corroded and so without notice the boat takes on copious amount of water. I would guess that i have replaced at least 2000 rivets to date

Alex, don't ever say you are boring any of us. We love ANY info on classic boats in Australia. So feel free to post and chat. You have certainly done some work. Also my interst in alu, coincides with my boating aviation interest. I also have an old Dehavelland 15 ft alu boat built sometimes in the 70s and it is held together with rivets. It's nothing as priceless as yours. I laughed when I read your bit about not liking boating much. Classic! We'd like to see your other projects maybe starting with the Glastron.David

This update on the Wilson and Winstanley Silvacraft has taken has taken much time and hard beer. The steering .gear selection (on -off) and throttle control has had to beer created so as to stay within the period of the design and manufacture of this boat.

Two bilge pumps are fitted and a third is being considered just in case I get a run on rivet failure.

It's all beginning to scare me now as there will be no excuse but to put it in the water and I will have to move from the comfort of my garage/workshop.

There is a book which I purchased on upholstery which will allow to make the new seats. If anybody has fears on DIY upholstery its actually not as hard as you may think. It takes a reasonable sewing machine an patience

Hi guys Sorry to bring up an old post but Iím curious about the silvacraft I live in Albury where Wilson and Winstanley built the boats and I have just purchased a punt version unsure model etc Is the owner of the silvacraft still on the forum? Or does anybody know where the boat is etc Any info would be appreciated CheersAdrian

Hi Folks ...I'm still here , a little bit older but still have my Silvercraft ....Doesn't get out much these days but I just changed the Rigstration number to WW001 ,,,Starte on the upholstery a copy of years ago but my short attention span means it's not finished ... Still my pride and joy and undercover !